Our Story
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In 2006, Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore got the world talking about climate change with his Academy Award-winning film An Inconvenient Truth.
It was just the beginning of a climate revolution. Later that year, he founded what would become, The Climate Reality Project to move the conversation forward and turn awareness into action all across the Earth. This resulted in 45,229 Climate Reality Leaders mobilising communities in over 190 countries. It has branches in 12 critical nations and regions. |
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We are Climate Reality Australia & Pacific
Launched in 2006, The Climate Reality Project - Australia and Pacific works to turn the growing awareness of the danger of climate change into support for action.
People across Australia and the Blue Pacific know all too well what it means to live with the impacts of climate change, with devastating bushfires, heatwaves, cyclones, rising sea levels and warming oceans impacting on communities and ecosystems.
The branch focuses on connecting climate to the lives of people across the region, offering trained leaders wide-ranging workshops and leadership opportunities. Thanks to these efforts, more than one in 40 Australians have seen a Climate Reality presentation, helping drive greater public awareness of solutions. As of 2023 we are a network of 2448 trained leaders working both independently and together to realise a healthy and safe climate, and a thriving net-zero economy.
The Climate Reality Project - Australia and Pacific is committed to fostering an environment in which the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their fellow Australians is characterised by deep mutual respect, leading to positive change in our nation’s culture and capacity.
People across Australia and the Blue Pacific know all too well what it means to live with the impacts of climate change, with devastating bushfires, heatwaves, cyclones, rising sea levels and warming oceans impacting on communities and ecosystems.
The branch focuses on connecting climate to the lives of people across the region, offering trained leaders wide-ranging workshops and leadership opportunities. Thanks to these efforts, more than one in 40 Australians have seen a Climate Reality presentation, helping drive greater public awareness of solutions. As of 2023 we are a network of 2448 trained leaders working both independently and together to realise a healthy and safe climate, and a thriving net-zero economy.
The Climate Reality Project - Australia and Pacific is committed to fostering an environment in which the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their fellow Australians is characterised by deep mutual respect, leading to positive change in our nation’s culture and capacity.
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Acting Branch ManagerImogen Butler |
Host OrganisationThe University of Melbourne |
Number of Climate Reality Leaders2448 |
Our Team
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Professor Don Henry AMMelbourne Enterprise Professor of EnvironmentalismProfessor Don Henry AM is based in The University of Melbourne as the ‘Melbourne Enterprise Professor of Environmentalism’. Don directs the TCRP Australia Pacific program and is an international Board Member of The Climate Reality Project. Don's role is to stimulate and enhance public debate and policy by working with researchers, government, civil society, global institutions, and business. He provides leadership in the fields of environmental policy development and reform, climate change, and sustainability. Read More CloseIn 2018 Don was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his work in protecting Australia's native wildlife and environment. His current engagement program is to support implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, negotiated by the global community in December 2015. This work aims to encourage greater ambition in its implementation and to build support for strengthened national commitments. Don and his team are highlighting the role of key strategic countries in the implementation of the Agreement, such as India, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. Don is also leading work examining and encouraging Indigenous and conservation outcomes in Northern Australia and collaborative processes for forest protection and sustainable use in Victoria and Tasmania. Previously Don has been CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation and WWF Australia, a Director of WWF US and the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. |
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Imogen ButlerProject Officer & Acting Manager, Australia and PacificImogen Butler she/her is a specialist in environmental communication and research, with over eight years’ experience working in a wide range of organisations in Australia, Sweden, and the UK. Imogen has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector on environmental campaigns with a common focus on repowering and diversifying energy systems to advance renewables. Read More ClosePrior to joining The Australia & Pacific branch of Climate Reality Project as Project Officer, Imogen was researching zero-carbon manufacturing pathways for Australian industries with Beyond Zero Emissions. As a researcher Imogen's mission is to translate climate science into sustainable thought and action. Imogen has delivered communications for a series of high-profile climate action campaigns, including The ‘Million Jobs Plan’, a plan that shows how Australia can create millions of jobs through green stimulus. Also, ‘Zero Carbon Communities’, a program that empowers thousands of Australian communities to lower their emissions and thrive. As an active ally in the climate justice movement, Imogen believes in empowering a fully voiced response to climate change. Her mission is to elevate the voices of communities and persons at the frontline of climate change, particularly those who have previously been excluded from climate change discourses. Imogen is qualified with a MSc from the University of Oxford (UK) and a Bachelor of Environment and Society at RMIT University (AU). |
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Dr Thelma RamanBlue Pacific Research & Engagement LeadThelma is a Climate Reality Leader and Mentor. She completed the Climate Reality Leader’s training in Brisbane in 2019. Thelma recently joined the Climate Reality Australia & Pacific branch as a part-time Blue Pacific Research and Engagement Lead. She is keen to engage with various groups including community groups, businesses, NGOs, and governments to promote both local and regional solutions for addressing climate change. Thelma has over 25 years’ experience in education and training, across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Formerly of Fiji, she still considers Fiji ‘home’ and finds every opportunity to visit with her daughter. Read More CloseThelma is passionate about doing her part towards creating a more sustainable world for current and future generations, and this led her to complete a PhD in Education for Sustainable Development. Her other qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Commerce, and a Master of International Business. Thelma is also a Fellow of the UK based Advanced Higher Education Academy and an Adjunct Fellow at Macquarie University in Sydney. |
We are co-hosted with:Melbourne Climate FuturesMelbourne Climate Futures (MCF) connects and amplifies the depth and breadth of University of Melbourne research, creates a portal to share ideas and collaborate on real action, and empowers the next generation of climate activists.
"We are committed to leading our national, regional and global communities to a sustainable, safe, fair and equitable climate future" |
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